World champions humbled by SA 20-15

PRETORIA -- The Springboks maintained their interest in the Tri-Nations with a superb 20-15 victory over the world champions Australia at Loftus Versfeld here on Saturday.

The Boks raced into a 14-0 lead by the break and managed to hold on for the win despite a flurry of Matthew Burke penalties.

Recalled Springbok centre Braam van Straaten kicked over five penalties, three in the first half, to secure the much-needed victory.

The Boks also managed to score the only try of the match when captain Bob Skinstad -- who scored the winning try against the same opposition to land SA the title in 1998 -- again proved the Wallaby nemesis.

The Boks led throughout the match but survived a few nervous minutes towards the end when replacement flyhalf Manny Edmonds slotted a penalty to narrow the score to 20-15, and within bonus point range.

The Wallabies came out for the second period firing and when Burke slotted two quick penalties a turnaround looked on the cards.

But Van Straaten held his nerve to increase the Bok lead to 17-6 in the 48th minute before Burke landed another two shots at goal.

With the game on the line at 17-12 Van Straaten made sure the Wallabies had to score twice to win with a vital penalty with 10 minutes remaining.

Edmonds managed to narrow the gap but the Boks, instead of folding, upped the tempo and finished the game well in Aussie terri-tory.

For the Boks hooker Lukas van Biljon was outstanding, as was Andre Vos.

Fullback Conrad Jantjes, making his first start for the Boks, won the man of the match award.

Jantjes displayed maturity that belied his age and was always dangerous with ball in hand.

The Springboks domina-ted large portions of the first half, enjoying the better of both territory and possession, and for a change, dominated the scoreboard as well.

That they boasted a healthy first half lead was thanks in chief to the prodigious boot of recalled Van Straaten, who slotted three penalties, two from behind his halfway line.

The Boks extended their lead to 14-0 on the stroke of half-time when Skinstad broke through and scored in the corner, the home team's first try against the Wallabies in four Tri-Nations Tests.

The Boks were lucky not fall behind early on with the normally unerring Burke not finding his range at goal.

Burke hit the post with a penalty attempt in the fifth minute and again in the 15th minute, after Van Straaten had slotted two penalties.

Van Straaten stepped up again in the 18th minute to take the score to 9-0 with another booming shot at goal.

The Australians then enjoyed their best period of the half nearly scoring a try but failing to capitalise on numbers out wide.

The Boks, spurred on by a massive effort up front and in the loose, continued to press and were rewarded with a typical Skinstad break, handing them a 14-0 lead at half-time.

Point-scorers: SA: Tries: Bob Skinstad; penalties : Braam van Straaten (5)

Australia: Penalties: Matt Burke (4), Manny Edmonds (1)

l Springbok coach Harry Viljoen praised the efforts of his players, particularly the seniors, after the match.

"The older players are playing a fantastic role and together we are trying to bring about a special culture where we are empowering each other," said Viljoen.

Skinstad admitted the ball bounced in his team's favour on the day but also praised his team for a remarkable win, given the context of Springbok rugby at the moment.

The Boks were not only competitive in all phases but in fact dominated the scrums, loose and line-outs, laying the platform for the win.

"The forwards were very competitive in the tight phases," said Viljoen.

"They stood very closely together and Bob has shown superb leadership," he said.

"We put them under pressure starting from Gregan, and especially in the line-outs and scrums," the Bok coach said.

Viljoen sang the praises of his team's defence, who for the second match in a row have not conceded a try.

"We studied their phase play and did a lot of counter-defensive work."

"It is a relief to cross the line anytime, but more so just before half-time.

"The try meant more on that basis, for the team rather than on a personal level," said Skinstad.

"The atmosphere in the dressing room after the win was not so much relief as much as a feeling of positivity," said Skinstad.

Van Straaten proved the need for a proven goalkicker, slotting five penalties, two of them from behind his halfway line.

When asked by an Australian journalist on how far he could kick the ball, Van Straaten had hardly opened his mouth when Skinstad blurted out, "from Durban."

Wallaby coach Eddie Jones bemoaned his team's inability to secure quick ball from the breakdown, while captain John Eales and hooker Michael Foley admitted to being non-plussed at some of referee's David McHugh's decisions.

"We struggled to get to the breakdown and let ourselves down with basic mistakes," said Jones.

"It's not the end of the world, we got a point out of it," said Eales.

"It's not ideal but we will stay positive," he said."-- Sapa